China has successfully completed a land-based missile intercept test, according to the Defense Ministry, which described the exercise as defensive and not directed at any specific nation.
As part of President Xi Jinping’s ambitious modernization plan, China has increased research on a wide range of missiles, from those that can destroy satellites in orbit to powerful nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.
Beijing has previously conducted missile interceptor tests, the most recent of which was announced in February 2021, and the one before that in 2018. China has been testing anti-missile systems since at least 2010, according to state media.
The ground-based midcourse anti-missile intercept technology test was carried out that night, the ministry announced in a terse statement late Sunday.
China has consistently expressed objection to the United States’ deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in South Korea, as has its ally Russia.
The equipment’s strong radar, China said, might penetrate its territory. Anti-missile drills have also been undertaken in China and Russia.
Aside from rare brief announcements by the Defense Ministry or in official media, China has provided scant specifics regarding its own missile programs.
Following photographs on state media in 2016, the Defence Ministry said it was continuing with anti-missile system tests.
Beijing claims that such technology is required for national security and defense.
“The test reached its expected goals. This test was defensive and not aimed at any country,” the ministry added.
